Malta Massacre

I like to keep my blog light-hearted with a deft sprinkling of melancholy where possible, but on this occasion I'm going to have to be blunt.

I've been watching, as many others I know have, Chris Packham's short videos about hunting of migratory birds on Malta. It's hard to describe it and do it justice without the video, so I strongly recommend you click here to watch them for yourselves. Hunting certain species of birds at certain times of year is illegal, but sadly a whole load of protected species get blasted from the skies as they pass through Malta each year. These birds include many that would reach the UK and provide millions of people with enjoyment each spring. Several of these birds, including the beautiful and unbelievably rare Montagu Harrier, are things that I have worked with personally. I have seen first hand the huge amounts of time, money and effort that dedicated people put into conserving these birds in the UK, only for them to face the threat of death at the hands of Maltese hunters. Worse still, most people on Malta oppose this, but the hunters intimidate them and often have connections to the Maltese police that prevents prosecutions, whilst their connections to the government prevent the issue from being dealt with in parliament.

If you have ever enjoyed seeing your first swallow in spring, or seeing migrant birds breeding in the UK, or are simply disappointed that a nation within the European Union is allowed to ignore legislation so blatantly, then please click on this link; watch the videos for yourself; donate to the campaign; write to your MEP to express your disgust. 

Muchos appreciatum est.